When The Sleeping Sickness Hit NYC In the 20s

The video explores the mysterious sleeping sickness, or encephalitis lethargica, which plagued New York in the 1920s. Despite advances in medical science, its cause remains unknown. The disease, characterized by lethargy and catatonia, was first categorized by Austrian neurologist Konstantin von Economo. The video discusses historical outbreaks, symptoms, and case studies, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the illness. It also covers long-term effects, such as Parkinson's disease, and treatments like L DOPA introduced by Oliver Sacks. The video concludes with modern cases and speculations about historical figures potentially affected by the disease.

What new insight or understanding did you gain from this video?